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In this podcast I talk about the recently published STIMULATE-ICP trial. This is a UK based clinical trial in which 4 drugs were randomly allocated to patients with Long Covid. The patients were assessed for fatigue using the accredited Fatigue Assessment Scale prior to treatment, at 12 weeks of treatment, and then after treatment had been discontinued 12 weeks later. Patients were selected randomly from NHS Long Covid Clinics around the UK. They were assigned to one of the four arms of the study which were as follows: Rivaroxaban; Colchicine; Loratadine and Famotidine combination; control 'no drug' arm. All four study arms continued to receive standard specialist care from their NHS Long COVID Service. The results are presented and discussed.

I am Dr Tim Robinson, formerly a GP family doctor for 30 years, retired as planned at the start of the Covid pandemic. Since then I have specialised exclusively in Long Covid, over the last 6 years. Currently I am GP clinical lead for NHS Long Covid Services in South West England - Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. I provide medical support for Hope for the Community CIC. I have research involvement as co-investigator in a study on breathlessness in Long Covid, University of Bristol UK. I also provide online patient recovery programmes, for both Long Covid and ME/CFS.

Long Covid Doctor is an educational series for Long Covid sufferers; each talk covers the many aspects of Long Covid, the symptoms, causes, treatments, management and expected outcomes.

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www.LongCovidDoctor.com

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Disclaimer: Long Covid Doctor is an educational series. Any advice, diagnosis, treatments mentioned should only be considered after discussion with your own GP or qualified professional health provider.

Link for STIMULATE-ICP paper, The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal:

SWEETMAN, JENNY  and Consortium, STIMULATE-ICP (2026) Efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban, colchicine, and famotidine–loratadine with specialist supportive clinical care for fatigue in patients with post-COVID-19 condition in the UK: a multisite, open-label, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Infectious Diseases. ISSN: 1474-4457

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(26)00242-2

General resources for Long Covid:

NICE Covid-19 rapid guideline:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng188/chapter/5-Management
How to manage post viral fatigue after Covid-19:
https://www.rcot.co.uk/how-manage-post-viral-fatigue-after-covid-19-0